FANS for the Future is launched today.
It’s a new umbrella scheme to attract young supporters to both Town and the Giants and build the fan base for generations to come.
The successful 7s Scheme and Schools Initiative for both clubs will stay in place as part of Fans for the Future, with junior membership clubs added to the mix.
The Mini Terriers and Mini Giants memberships will cater for younger children, while the Young Terriers and Young Giants will focus on youngsters up to 16.
Incentives and benefits will be available to members – the new pitch, gym and cafe facilities at The Zone (Verbrook House) off St Andrews Road will be part of the venture – and Town hope it will not only help them attain the new Football League Family Club Charter Mark, but will go a long way towards them being named Family Club of the Year.
As part of the launch, youngsters registering straight away will be entitled to a free ticket for the Town v Port Vale match on Saturday, November 3, providing they are accompanied by an adult who has bought a ticket before the day of the game.
A similar offer will be announced on a Giants fixture when the new season starts and all registered juniors will be notified.
All junior Town and Giants season-ticket holders will automatically be registered as Fans of the Future and as a launch incentive, Huddersfield Town season-ticket holders can hand in their Andy Booth ‘Make an Impact’ voucher from their season ticket before 5.00pm on Friday November 2, and be entered into a draw to be made at half time the following day. The lucky winner will get a free season-ticket for 2008-09.
To mark the launch at the Port Vale game, a fireworks display will take place behind the Antich Stand – provided by Brothers Pyrotechnics – as soon as the League I fixture is over.
Sean Jarvis, director of business development for both Town and the Giants, said Fans of the Future is being sponsored by the Examiner and Yorkshire Building Society.
“We have a long-term strategy to build our support and that’s where the Fans of the Future scheme comes in for both clubs,” said Mr Jarvis (pictured right).
“We recognise this is not going to happen overnight and attendances are not going to double at the flick of a switch, but the lifeblood of clubs like ours are the supporters of today and the generations of fans who will come to the stadium in years to come.
“Both clubs have had grassroots initiatives in place for a number of years and we feel now is the right time to bring things together under one umbrella in Fans of the Future.
“Rather than having specific projects for both clubs, the intention is to build the atmosphere and progressive outlook here over many, many years and, indeed, we plan to announce further initiatives later in the year.”
Forms to register for the scheme are available now from the Ticket Office, Stadium Superstore and Sporting Pride shop in Huddersfield, or watch out for a registration form that will be appearing in the Examiner later this week.
Season-ticket holders can register a Fan of the Future on the back of a “Terry the Terrier” voucher from their booklet which will be entitle them to a free junior match ticket for the Port Vale game.
On the Football League’s new Charter Mark, Mr Jarvis added: “We were involved in the initial discussion stages because of the work we already do for younger fans, so we are very keen to be among the first to attain the Charter Mark.”
